Loss

Loss is one of the most challenging and difficult types of suffering that we will ever experience. Grief is an incredibly powerful emotion. Sometimes it feels like grief clings to us, and no matter how much we try to shake it off and brush it away it remains. We wake up with it and we go to bed with it. We lie awake with it. We dream about it. When we lose something precious to us, we won’t have a choice; we will feel grief. And the Bible says that it is valuable to grieve, to mourn. And you should know and understand why. 



In Matthew 5, the sermon on the mount, Jesus lists off the attributes and characteristics that bless those who embody them. Verses 3 and 4 detail that both those who are ‘poor in spirit’ and those who ‘mourn’ are indeed a blessed people. For those who are poor in spirit, ‘theirs is the kingdom of God’ and those who mourn, ‘they shall be comforted.’ As we follow the narrative, we can see that all of these characteristics that Jesus mentions are indicative of a humble, righteousness-loving heart. When we understand this, it becomes rather easy to understand why Jesus says these kinds of people are blessed. The promotion of both humility and a pursuit for righteousness are consistent themes running throughout the Bible. It is those who are humble and those who pursue righteousness who are obeying the commands of God, and evidence that they are truly born again. If you look at the beatitudes as a collection, ask yourself, “do I see these attributes at work in my life?” If the answer is ‘yes’ then you know that you are a child of God; for only those who are truly born again will be willing to be ‘persecuted for the sake of righteousness’ (verse 10). 


In Matthew 7, Jesus talks about how the fruit of a person’s life will reveal the true heart of that person. If they bear good fruit then they have a good heart. If they bear bad fruit then they have a bad heart. Side note: That’s not to say that those with good hearts don’t make mistakes and sin, but their heart to please God is pure. And their sin is sorrowful to them. Those who are blessed in Matthew 5, are blessed because the fruit of their lives reveal that their hearts for God are pure, because they naturally do the things that please Him.


Matthew 5 also details that, with our suffering, there is also a very real blessing that comes from Jesus. When we are poor in spirit, we can rejoice in that we will inherit the kingdom of God. When we mourn, we can rejoice in that we will be comforted. Jesus is specific about the blessings that we will receive when we endure all of the trials he describes. When we are poor in spirit and suffer loss, we can find hope in the knowledge that the kingdom of heaven and comfort are promised to us and given to us by the hands of our loving Father. 


When we suffer, which we all inevitably do, we come to a crossroads in our minds. We can either get angry, resentful and turn our backs on God and reject His love, or we can mourn, weep and run to God instead. If we choose the second option, then we have acknowledged our need for Jesus and we reap from His abundant love. Charles Spurgeon once said: “I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me against the Rock of Ages”. 


Now ask yourself, “Where would I truly be if I never went through these times of desperate need of Jesus?” Really think about it.


It is in our times of greatest despair that we need God the most, see ourselves as the fragile beings that we are and feel our desperate need for the strength that we can only get from the mighty, outstretched arm of God. If you allow it to, loss can actually draw you closer to God and to those around you. You can honour God and bless others with what you learn during this difficult time. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Paul says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” We are comforted by God - this is His promise to us. Then we are able to comfort others in the future - this our good fruit.


Remember: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18.


He is near and He will save. 

Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

You are Accepted

Image
A promise is a very special, important and binding deal made between friends. When you promise to do something, believe in something or help with something you are stating emphatically that you WILL do it. Promises are so desired by all kinds of people, that even little children make promises with their friends, because they crave the security and intimacy of their friendships.  It is sad, that as the years go on promises are made much too easily and without a great deal of thought or genuine intent. Husbands and wives promise not to leave each other, friends promise to be there for one another during hard times and families promise that they will always be there. However, these promises are frequently broken, whether by choice or by circumstance. This destruction of a promise does much to harm and confuse us, where it hurts, in our heart and soul. However, when we trust in God we are putting our trust in someone that is incapable of lying, unwilling to be disloyal and unable
Read more

Do Not be Anxious

Image
The Bible tells us, over 400 times, to ‘fear not’. It is the most common command given to believers in the Bible. If the word of God tells us the same thing, so many times, then we need to realise that it must be important. That we need to learn from it and obey what he has asked us to do or not to do. ‘ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:5-7 It is important here, that we do not confuse mere ‘fear’ with the fear of God. We are told numerous times in the Bible to fear God, because our fear leads to understanding, knowledge, wisdom, goodness, God’s protection and, ultimately, salvation. To fear God is to respect God and know that he is a God of justice. He will not let evil go unpunished. Therefore, when we fear him we respect him and keep his c
Read more

Think like Mary

Image
Luke 10:38-42 reads: “Now as they were travelling along, He [Jesus] entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” As I read these verses recently, they really struck a chord with me. As a Christian woman, especially as a Christian wife, I can understand and sympathise with Martha’s situation. Out of good intentions she welcomed the Lord into her home, and was making Him and His guests food and attempting to make everyone comfortable. And, in the scriptures, wives are en
Read more